Candle igniter device and system

Abstract

An electronically controlled igniter device for a wick-containing item, and methods of use thereof, is described. The device is particularly advantageous in that it provides a convenient and safe device for igniting and optionally extinguishing the flame of a wick-containing item. The wick-containing item may be a standalone object, or a set of multiple electrically interconnected objects that can be individually controlled, or several groups of such objects may be remotely or locally controlled.

1 . An electronic arc generating system comprising:
 a power supply;   a transistor;   a diode;   a transformer;   a pair of electrodes;   a low-voltage generating subsystem comprising a first switch and a first resistor, wherein said low-voltage generating subsystem is configured to ignite a combustible component; and   a high-voltage generating subsystem comprising a second switch and a second resistor, wherein said high-voltage generating subsystem is configured to extinguish a flame of a combustible component,   wherein said power supply, said transistor, said diode, said transformer, said pair of electrodes, said low-voltage generating subsystem and said high-voltage generating subsystem, are all electrically interconnected.   
     
     
         2 . An electronic arc generating system according to  claim 1 , wherein said power supply is a rechargeable power supply. 
     
     
         3 . An electronic arc generating system according to  claim 1 , wherein said power supply is a removable power supply. 
     
     
         4 . An electronic arc generating system according to  claim 1 , wherein said combustible component comprises a candle wick. 
     
     
         5 . An electronic arc generating system according to  claim 1 , wherein said combustible component comprises a gaseous component. 
     
     
         6 . An electronic arc generating system according to  claim 1 , wherein said low-voltage generating subsystem produces an output across said pair of electrodes of about 20 kilovolts. 
     
     
         7 . An electronic arc generating system according to  claim 1 , wherein said high-voltage generating subsystem produces an output across said pair of electrodes of about 60 to 70 kilovolts. 
     
     
         8 . A combination electronic arc ignition and extinguishment system comprising:
 a power supply;   a transistor;   a diode;   a transformer;   a pair of electrodes;   a low-voltage generating subsystem comprising a first switch and a first resistor; and   a high-voltage generating subsystem comprising a second switch and a second resistor,   wherein said power supply, said transistor, said diode, said transformer, said pair of electrodes, said low-voltage generating subsystem and said high-voltage generating subsystem, are all electrically interconnected.   
     
     
         9 . A combination electronic arc ignition and extinguishment system according to  claim 8 , wherein said low-voltage generating subsystem is configured to ignite a combustible component. 
     
     
         10 . A combination electronic arc ignition and extinguishment system according to  claim 8 , wherein said high-voltage generating subsystem is configured to extinguish a flame of a combustible component. 
     
     
         11 . A combination electronic arc ignition and extinguishment system according to  claim 8 , wherein said power supply is a rechargeable power supply. 
     
     
         12 . A combination electronic arc ignition and extinguishment system according to  claim 8 , wherein said power supply is a removable power supply. 
     
     
         13 . A combination electronic arc ignition and extinguishment system according to  claim 8 , wherein said combustible component comprises a candle wick. 
     
     
         14 . A combination electronic arc ignition and extinguishment system according to  claim 8 , wherein said combustible component comprises a gaseous component. 
     
     
         15 . A combination electronic arc ignition and extinguishment system according to  claim 8 , wherein said low-voltage generating subsystem produces an output across said pair of electrodes of about 20 kilovolts. 
     
     
         16 . A combination electronic arc ignition and extinguishment system according to  claim 8 , wherein said high-voltage generating subsystem produces an output across said pair of electrodes of about 60 to 70 kilovolts. 
     
     
         17 . A combination electronic arc ignition and extinguishment system comprising:
 a power supply;   a transistor;   a diode;   a transformer;   a pair of electrodes;   a low-voltage generating subsystem comprising a first resistor;   a high-voltage generating subsystem comprising a second resistor; and   a 3-way switch located upstream of said low-voltage generating subsystem and said high-voltage generating subsystem, wherein said 3-way switch is configured to separately engage said low-voltage generating subsystem or said high-voltage generating subsystem, or to simultaneously engage both said low-voltage generating subsystem and said high-voltage generating subsystem,   wherein said power supply, said transistor, said diode, said transformer, said pair of electrodes, said 3-way switch, said low-voltage generating subsystem and said high-voltage generating subsystem, are all electrically interconnected.   
     
     
         18 . A combination electronic arc ignition and extinguishment system according to  claim 17 , wherein said first resistor of said low-voltage generating subsystem provides a resistance value of about 50 ohms. 
     
     
         19 . A combination electronic arc ignition and extinguishment system according to  claim 17 , wherein said second resistor of said high-voltage generating subsystem provides a resistance value of about 100 ohms.